Moose take series opener 5-3

Published on April 20, 2005 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Manitoba Moose News Release


Lee Goren scored two goals and Wade Flaherty turned aside 29 shots as the Manitoba Moose won Game 1 of the North Division Semi-Final, defeating St. John's 5-3.

Wade Flaherty got the start for Manitoba, while Mikael Tellqvist was St. John's starter in Game One.

Tellqvist thwarted the game's first big scoring chance, stopping Baumgartner after he picked up a Sarno rebound and fired it on net.

The shot count five minutes into the period was 7-1 for the Moose.

The Leafs came back with a great chance of their own when Kyle Wellwood broke loose and looked to make a move on Flaherty but had the puck poked away at the last moment by Kevin Bieksa.

On the play, Josh Green received a penalty for cross-checking, giving the Leafs their first powerplay of the series.

The Moose were able to kill off the penalty, and then rushed back up ice. Alex Burrows and Justin Morrison buzzed around the Leafs net but couldn't solve Tellqvist.

Late in the period on a Moose powerplay, Tellqvist made two big saves to preserve the game's scoreless tie. He made the initial stop from Kesler along the side boards and then put the paddle down to turn aside Heerema's rebound attempt from the top of the crease.

With four minutes to play in the period, shots were 11-2 Moose. Manitoba had a great opportunity with their third straight powerplay of the period. The best chance on this powerplay came on a Goren one-timer after a cross-ice pass from Sarno.

Just as the penalty expired, Flaherty had to be sharp on a Ling one-timer from the slot created by a Moose turnover.

After one period, shots were 15-5 for Manitoba but the game remained scoreless.

St. John's had their best scoring chances of the game early in the second. Nathan Perrott was stopped at the side of the net by Flaherty. Colin Murphy then shot wide of the open cage with the Moose netminder down and out of the play.

Several minutes later, Flaherty made a huge stop off Matt Stajan, taking away a wide open net by sliding over to block the shot on a Leafs powerplay.

The play then proceeded back up ice and Bieksa, Nathan Smith and Lee Goren teamed up on a tic-tac-toe play that culminated in Bieksa's blast from the slot that went by Tellqvist.

Less than three minutes later, a forced turnover in the Leafs' zone by Ryan Kesler led to Manitoba's second of the game. Kesler picked up the puck and dished it off to Goren, who rifled it in to make it 2-0.

Ian White almost got one back for St. John's on the next shift, drawing Flaherty way out of the Moose net but unable to centre the puck.

The Moose almost scored late in the period on a two-man rush while shorthanded. Smith's shot from the side of the net went off the post and ricocheted off the back of Tellqvist but didn't find the net.

The Leafs came right back down the ice and scored their first of the game. Colin Murphy rifled a shot on a rush up ice to make it 2-1.

Despite the setback, Manitoba persevered and managed to get the goal back two minutes later with 19 seconds to play in the period. Joe DiPenta blasted a shot that was tipped in front by Kesler.

Manitoba took the 3-1 lead into the second intermission. Despite scoring three goals in the middle frame, the Moose were outshot 11-9 by St. John's. Overall, Manitoba still had the shot edge at 24-16.

St. John's struck early in the third to make it a 3-2 game. 1:29 in, David Ling had the puck along at the left faceoff circle and took his time before shooting short side.

The Leafs almost tied it a minute later when Colin Murphy attempted a backhand shot while on a two-on-one that Flaherty calmly turned away.

Tellqvist made a pair of great saves on a third period Moose powerplay. He stopped Heerema and Kesler on successive shots to keep it a one-goal game.

The Leafs tied it just prior to the midway point of the third. Wellwood teed up a blast from the high slot after taking a backhand pass from Wilm, beating Flaherty blocker side.

Lee Goren regained Manitoba's lead with a powerplay goal after Marc Moro was sent off for roughing. Goren picked up a rebound at the side of the net, and fired the puck over a sprawled Tellqvist. Sarno and Baumgartner got assists on the play.

Several minutes later, Heerema fired a shot off the crossbar using Colaiacovo as a screen.

With just over three minutes to play in the third, Jimmy Roy received a penalty for holding the stick. Throughout the powerplay and through to the 19-minute mark of the period the Leafs had the Moose pinned in their own zone cycling the puck. Flaherty had to come up with a big save time and again as pressure mounted. Eventually, Flaherty was able to cover a shot and get a whistle.

In the final minute, Josh Green scored an empty netter to seal the outcome.

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American Hockey League Stories from April 20, 2005


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